A lot has been made lately of the fact that riders today are lacking a little bit of the V. It’s not so much a criticism of how they conduct themselves during a race (although that has also been called into question lately), but in their general demeanor towards their life as a cyclist.
It doesn’t surprise me much; historically, riders chose a life on the bike as an escape from their other occupational choice which typically involved hard manual labor in a dark pit or on a cold field whereas today’s riders generally come from more privileged backgrounds and find their way into this world from a life of relative luxury.
A life of hardship went beyond their working-class roots, it applied to their life on the bike as well. They scaled the same passes we do today, except they did it over dirt roads aboard heavy, flexy bikes with relaxed geometries, wearing what amounted to little more than leather loafers. Hardness wasn’t something to aspire to; it was simply the way it was.
This is one of my favorite photos of a cyclist, and the bicycle is nowhere to be seen. From the look on his face, Coppi just ate himself a Schlecklette and, based on the gesture he’s making, is preparing to drop trou and shit ‘im right back out.
To put Cipollini’s sentiments above into Coppi’s words:
Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill.
To todays generation of riders, I offer this advice: take no prisoners, fucktards.
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@RedRanger
And here it is again: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/hushovd-to-renegotiate-contract-in-july
As I said after Roubaix, it pains me, but I'm over the God of Asunder.
@Marko
They are kinda hard comments to get over if you are JV/Cervelo. Some noise in the press is usual negotiating tactics, but Thor's comments are more than the usual having your agent say that you are unhappy and always wanted to play in Spain.
I am amused by his agent's comment that "Hushovd ... wanted better results during the spring". No shit sherlock. Shoulda ridden harder maybe?
And Thor's comments criticising Vaughters' tactical approach. "It was not determined enough. We were not concrete enough on how to work and who we were racing for in each race. I think there should be a clear strategy before the start, and none of that 'the best rider on the day is the one we will race for.' That only causes uncertainty,". Has he been spending time on Cyclosm?
@Oli Brooke-White
I think there is no doubt cuddles lacked support but I do think some level of blame lies at his feet for not inspiring his men. His big mistake was first going to Telekom and then not going with CSC pre sastre/schlecks when Bjarne wanted him... But he has fought back well...
@RedRanger
Huh, getting bitchy indeed. Even the writer of this piece seems to put him in his place in the last paragraph in reference to his P-R performance:
Plus I gotta say, maybe it's from an early season 'post holiday feasting' race, but the photo they chose isn't exactly flattering in the belly area.
Cuddles definitely showed more class in the bands the prior year, especially giving it all he had against Basso and Nibs in the Giro.
In 2008 I remember going crazy at the TV when Cadel's best hope for support, Popovych went all the way in the break on Stage 16. The next day he was AWOL when Cadel got worked over by the Schlecks and lost all that time to Sastre on Alpe d'Huez. Cost him the Tour in my opinion.
In 2009 it was Van den Broeck's turn - going up the road on Stage 15 while his team leader lost something like 3 minutes in the GC. I think that was a DS call but not sure.
There's no question that he wasn't well supported. But there's a lot to be said about being an appointed leader and actually being a leader. He's got better at faking social skills now so maybe the crew at BMC will lay it on the line for him...
Nice piece frank.
this "Hardness wasn't something to aspire to; it was simply the way it was." sums up for me the difference in era's.
Does anyone else feel that the commercialisation of the sport, while necessary in allowing it to develop and morph into what it is today, has also played a part in the decline of the Hardman?
Oh yeah, I'm in - cuddles, cuddles, cuddles
But what is that paddle thing in jacket man's pocket?
@frank
C'mon man, just compare their palmares. Being the TT champion of Luxemburg, wearing yellow for a few days, and being gifted a few stages in the tour doesn't stack up to what Cadel has done. Yes, Cadel is/was probably capable of more but he's way more accomplished and way more fun to watch race.
The Schlecks are hyped up a bit and now with team management responsibilities on top of team leadership responsibilities they need results that haven't happened. The most fun I've had watching Andy race was stage 3 last year when he made the selection on the pave, thanks to Faboo. But who else was there on his own? Yup, Cuddles.
@Marko
Three Grand Tour second places, the biggest classic win, Amstel, and stage wins is quite a list (both brothers wore yellow, btw). Sorry, but Cuddles doesn't have anything more than that, despite a much longer career. I'm not saying the Schlecks are tactical geniuses - if they were there would be more wins. I'm just saying that if anything, the Schlecks/Cuddles are rowing the same boat...
@frank
Lets not forget Andy has a LBL win under his belt.